What it is

A palace built in 1705, reborn as a dazzling 180-room, 31-suite hotel with a high-tech spa, pool, two locavore restaurants and a locally beloved patisserie.

What it isn't

Ho-hum, design-wise. Berlin-based designer Markus Hilzinger revamped the interiors and they’re the perfect blend of modern art, traditional woodwork, and sumptuous upholstery.

What we think

If you’ve ever wanted to be anointed a royal, you may get the feeling at Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski, once the private palace of Anna Constantia von Brockdorff (a mistress of the former King of Poland). Designer Markus Hilzinger imbued the guest rooms—which begin at a palatial 376 square feet for a basic Palais Room—with style, including rainforest showers, overhead chandeliers to highlight the soaring ceilings, sculptural furniture and high-tech perks like Apple TV and even air purifiers. Our favorite room here is inarguably the 548 square foot Junior Suite Castle View; it has a rounded corner where the bed is tucked, fanciful toile wallcovering and wood paneling, a roomy living space, and arched windows with views of an adjacent castle. BYO glittering crown.

You're here because

The hotel perfectly mingles stately history with all the must-have tech amenities of today. Plus, the pool in the spa is a dream—complete with a ceiling shimmering with “stars.”

The Moment

After hitting the hotel’s sushi bar for your first course (and a flute of Taittinger champagne), you’re ready for the main event of the evening: dinner at Das Palais, where black tiger shrimp on housemade garlic baguettes and truffle spaghetti dusted in parmesan snow are everything you ever wanted for dinner.

Restaurants & Bars

Restaurant Intermezzo - International cuisine.

Palais Bistro - French cuisine.

Karl May Bar - Award winning cocktails.

Cafe Vestibul - Enjoy coffee and tea specialties and exquisite gateaux.

Location

Directly across from Zinger palace, constructed as the ultimate orangerie in 1709. Dresden Airport is a mere 20 minute drive away.